There are myriad ways to experience the Sonoran Desert’s unique landscape. At the top of the list should be a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. On your way to the museum you’ll drive through Tucson Mountain Park, where some of the largest saguaro stands in the world are protected.

Both the East and West sections of Saguaro National Park have some of the oldest and largest saguaros in the desert. Consider hiking the many desert trails around the park, or visit one of Tucson’s many stables, where you can hire a horse to do the work for you.

To see how just a small but steady amount of water can change the desert into a relatively verdant Eden, make sure to visit Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

To learn about the various ways the indigenous peoples of Southern Arizona have adapted to life in the desert, check out the Arizona State Museum; and to learn how other cultures have learned (or failed to learn) to live in this harsh land, check out the Arizona Historical Society Museum.

For gifts, souvenirs, food, and other items related to the desert, make sure to visit Native Seeds/SEARCH, and if you want to eat a gourmet meal prepared with ingredients unique to the desert, try the high-end restaurants Janos and the Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon.